Ruger minis Synth v. Wood

[Welding Rod]

There's always some joker that has to say something about the Mini being inaccurate. Why don't you give it up and do the rest of us a favor.

I suppose that is directed at me. What can I say, as I typed before, it is a sincere remark. I have owned Minis, including a new 580 model. They are not a highly accurate design and/or execution. That is simply the truth. Doesn't mean it isn't a suitable gun for some purposes, or that it isn't fun.

My last one had a plastic stock. I choose it in hopes of good accuracy. As soon as I realized that was a pipe dream, I wished I would have bought a wood stock instead as I like its look and feel much better.

Just trying to pass on some experience. Not trying to offend anyone.

 

[Zanad]

the mini 30 in wood IS fun. and in my oppinion, get the new mini30 and prlace it with wood or my personal favorite, a houge stock.

 

[Golden_006]

What's the point of replacing it with wood?

If I want wood i'll just buy the 14. Also are the new 14s more accurate. I think the 30s don't have a new barrel

Why does everyone hate this gun so much? I had an SKS, now that was not an accurate rifle. The romanians go for $400. OK so you can get 2 of them. So you'll have 2 inaccurate guns, that are decades old, and have sights that are so bad you think your vision is going. But no it's the sights on the SKS are that bad. Around here ARs are 1200. That is $400 more than a mini. Nothing to sneeze at. Without even shooting it i bet anything the new ones have way more accurate than the SKS -- at least in .223 and give acceptable accuracy just shy of the AR.

 

[Golden_006]

but the wood doesn't have the "evil" look that so many people love to hate.

You mean even firearms enthusiasts or brady bunch people?

I kind of want it for that reason

 

[exdetsgt]

I bought a Mini 14 recently. It's the new model with the heavier barrel and the perforated plastic heat shield with wood furniture. I paid $660 at Trail Boss Guns 'n Gear in Sierra Vista, AZ.
My friend, Jerry, has two of the older Mini 14's. This new model is way more accurate than his older models, plus it has really nice iron sights, and what Golden 006 says about the accuracy comparison between the SKS and the Mini 14. I too had an SKS. It was dependably inaccurate and can't compare with my Mini 14, which, as he said, is just very slightly less accurate than an AR and way less money. If you're shooting at a threat that's 100-150 away you will take it out with an AR. You will also take it out with a Mini 14. Wandering around down here along the Mexican border you look suspicious with an AR. With my Mini 14 I'm just another hunter.

 

[Maverick223]

What's the point of replacing it with wood?

You're the one that said you would prefer wood. Personally I just prefer the looks of it, no real big advantage one way or the other.

Also are the new 14s more accurate.

I have never done a side-by-side comparison but I am not entirely convinced of that. Either way you're not likely to end up with a tack driver...but it isn't likely to pattern like a scattergun either.

I think the 30s don't have a new barrel

They sure don't come with a used bbl. I may be wrong, but I believe all Ruger firearms are using barrels of their own manufacture, so there shouldn't be a big difference. I'd go with the one that suited the task at hand best.

 

[Golden_006]

I can't decide and I'm buying next week.

i don't want to buy something and put another 100 dollars in it for another stock.

I think the the stainless and black polymer looks better and the wood a little boring. I also like the idea of an evil looking gun as big thumbing my nose to libs in charge of the state gov't that wants to ban them like they did AK/AR.


1. What are the +'s and -'s of each. Or particualrly the wood 14?

2. But what is it going to look like later?

3. The other thing to consider is -- is the black polymer tougher? This is supposed to be my civil disorder go-to-firearm

PS -- the counter jockey at Sport authority says the black one is better (they didn't sell the wood one however). And high end guns are switching to plastic. is this so?

 

[Maverick223]

But what is it going to look like later?

The wood will hold up fine with a little care, the polymer will scratch just as easily, but they won't show as well nor will it dent as easily. It is the low maintenance option.

the counter jockey at Sport authority says the black one is better

I don't see any advantage to the polymer other than low maintenance. Wood is just as durable (there are wood stocks that are several hundred years old), and looks better. Whilst the wood will change with humidity I don't believe that will have any practical disadvantages in that particular rifle.

And high end guns are switching to plastic. is this so?

Most any production rifle is now available with a polymer stock of some sort, but most high-end rifles are still available in wood...which is still preferred by many folks simply because of aesthetics (as do I).

 

[exdetsgt]

The stainless w/black polymer is indeed nice looking. A friend has this combo in Mini-14. The stocks feel rubberized and are made by Hogue, so they may not be the ones that came originally on the rifle.

I still like my black Mini-14 with wood stocks. When we place them side by side, mine looks positively vintage.

 

[Pony Express]

black 30...Just cause 7.62 is cheaper and more versatile than 5.56 (and this is coming from an AR guy)

I've given some thought to a mini-30 for a truck gun, but I cant find a good reason not to use my 870 as a truck gun